Texas Southmost College Texas Afterschool Centers on Education

Texas Southmost College Texas Afterschool Centers on Education

Texas Southmost College - Texas ACE

Texas Southmost College Texas Afterschool Centers on Education (TSC Texas ACE)
School ends. Learning doesn’t.

In October of 2023, Texas Southmost College (TSC) secured a grant that will provide invaluable support for our community’s educational initiatives. The five-year, 10-million-dollar competitive grant, funded through the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program and administered by the Texas Education Agency’s Texas Afterschool Centers on Education (Texas ACE), will bolster our efforts to create a brighter future for students in the Brownsville Independent School District. The grant will enable TSC to extend learning beyond the regular school day, establishing a safe and supportive environment for students to access homework help/tutoring, personalized academic support, and engage in enrichment activities such as clubs and sports.

The federal 21st CCLC program is dedicated to establishing community learning centers that offer free, before-and-after-school activities, as well as summer programs, particularly benefiting students in Title 1 schools, especially those in high-poverty and low-performing areas. These centers help students meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offer enrichment activities; and offer literacy and other educational services to families. Presently, the Texas ACE program operates through 96 grantees at 682 centers throughout the state.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued local and state stakeholders, alongside our partners who have played an integral role in bringing this initiative to fruition, including the leadership from Texas Southmost College. What sets our program apart is the invaluable leadership offered by our dedicated district and campus administrators, along with the commitment of teachers from the BISD. These individuals, deeply invested in the achievement and welfare of their students, have demonstrated unwavering support and collaborative efforts that underpin the accomplishments of the TSC Texas ACE program.’After the final bell, TSC Texas ACE is just getting started’, a testament to the unwavering commitment to supporting our community.

Aim: The aim of the TSC Texas ACE program is to help students prepare for college, a career, or military service.

Measurable Goals: The program has five specific goals to accomplish its aim, which include:

  1. Improve school-day academic performance in reading.
  2. Improve school-day academic performance in math.
  3. Improve school-day attendance.
  4. Improve school-day engagement in learning.
  5. Improve family engagement.

Key Strategies: To meet these goals, the TSC Texas ACE program employs the following key strategies:

  1. 1. Strong Program Operations: Ensuring a safe, supportive, and educationally enriching environment for all students, staff, and families. This includes maintaining well-structured and efficient program operations.
  2. 2. Alignment with the School Day: Collaborate with school-day staff, attend professional development opportunities, and connect with school-day systems to ensure the program complements and enhances the regular school day.
  3. 3. Community Partnerships and Engagement: Developing partnerships and engaging with the community to address local needs, meet grant requirements, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.

Activity Components: These 4-activity components, in conjunction with the program’s goals and key strategies, collectively work toward preparing students for success in college, career, or military service, while creating a safe and nurturing environment for their growth and development.

1. Targeted Academic Support. Within the framework of the TSC Texas ACE program, we prioritize targeted academic support, utilizing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), high-impact tutoring (HIT), and/or school-day aligned academic activities. Our dedicated team includes certified teachers who are committed to offering academic support. Furthermore, our program enlists peer student tutors who are actively enrolled in dual-credit college courses, providing additional assistance to students. Notably, TSC’s on-campus tutoring labs are certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), a leader in learning assistance, reading, and academic support programs. We take pride in the rigorous standards upheld by our tutor training program, which has successfully completed the International Tutor Training Programs Certification (ITTPC) peer review process. Through the TSC Texas ACE program, we aim to extend this tradition of tutoring excellence to our centers. In the academic support category, we offer a range of resources to enhance students’ learning experiences beyond the school day. These include Advanced Spanish, Algebra Tutoring, Bilingual Tutoring, ESL (English as a Second Language), Extended Library Services, High-Impact Tutoring in ELAR (English Language Arts and Reading) and Math, Homework Help/Tutoring, Microsoft Office Certification, Pre-Calculus Tutoring, Robotics, and Spanish Tutoring. Moreover, we provide access to specialized labs such as S.T.E.A.M. and S.T.R.E.A.M., which promote Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics education.

2. Student Interest-Based Enrichment. To address disciplinary referrals, chronic absences, and to enhance school-day attendance, TSC Texas ACE will design and implement student interest-based enrichment activities. These activities are carefully crafted to be engaging and motivating for students, serving to reinforce academic and nonacademic skills. By allowing students to explore their passions through hands-on learning experiences, we aim to instill in them a sense of empowerment and belonging within their school environment. These enrichment activities will not only enhance critical thinking and other higher-order thinking skills but also spark a passion for extracurricular activities. Furthermore, these initiatives are expected to enhance positive mental health and foster social and emotional learning. In this category, we offer a rich variety of clubs and activities, including Agri-Wellness, Art Appreciation, Arts & Crafts, Book Club, Chess Club, Cooking Club, Creative Arts, Creative Podcast, Dance, Ecology, E-Sports, Fitness, Football (6th grade), Gardening, Journalism, Makerspace, Music Appreciation, Music, Nutrition, Performing Arts, Running Book Club, Science, SEL (Social and Emotional Learning), Soccer, Sports, Technology Integration, TSC Porter Conjunto “La Leyenda,” Wood Shop, and Yoga.

3. College and Career Readiness. In line with our commitment to college and career readiness, we hire higher education subject matter experts to offer a range of college prep workshops, designed to provide students with the qualifications required to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school, whether as dual credit students or concurrent students. College and career readiness is at the forefront of our mission, and we actively provide TSI-prep workshops year-round, including during the summer, to ensure students have every opportunity to embark on their college journeys. We offer a range of activities geared toward college and career readiness. These include College & Career – Coding, Criminal Justice, Exploration, JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps), Technology, and College Prep (TSI – Texas Success Initiative).

4. Family Engagement. Family engagement is an integral component of the TSC Texas ACE program. We are profoundly grateful for the trust and partnership of our community’s adult family members. To strengthen connections and support adult family members, we offer a variety of activities. These include mental health and SEL workshops, literacy programs that encompass high school equivalency and English language acquisition, as well as short-term workforce training sessions in areas such as diesel technician, pipe fitting, orbital tube welding, and laser welding. We also facilitate parent roundtable discussions that provide one-on-one conversations with higher education experts, including college staff, deans, and faculty, to guide families through the matriculation process. Armed forces representatives engage in discussions about recruitment benefits and career options, and Workforce Solutions Cameron representatives discuss high-demand career options and job search skills. Career pathway information sessions are led by college deans and faculty to further empower families with knowledge about educational and career opportunities.

TSC Texas ACE Centers: These centers are instrumental in delivering the program services. They include:

  •  Center 1 – Hanna Early College High School
  •  Center 2 – Lopez Early College High School
  •  Center 3 – Pace Early College High School
  • Center 4 – Porter Early College High School
  • Center 5 – Rivera Early College High School
  • Center 6 – Besteiro Middle School
  • Center 7 – Faulk Middle School
  • Center 8 – Garcia Middle School
  • Center 9 – Lucio Middle School
  • Center 10 – Perkins Middle School

Theory of Action: When students facing the greatest academic challenges participate in a well-structured afterschool program for a duration of 60 days or more, led by qualified educators and centered around four key activity components—namely, targeted academic support, student-interest-based enrichment, college and career readiness, and family engagement—they have the potential to experience significant improvements in their academic performance, attendance, behavior, promotion rates, and graduation rates.

Texas ACE WHY: Texas ACE empowers students to realize their potential and change the world!

Texas ACE Community: These local and state/national stakeholders form a comprehensive network of support and collaboration that is crucial in fulfilling the mission and goals of the TSC Texas ACE program. Together, they work to create a nurturing and enriching environment for the students, preparing them for future success in education and beyond.

Local stakeholders include:

  • Students
  • Parents
  • Staff
  • Community Partners:
    • Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department
    • Communities in Schools
    • Workforce Solutions Cameron
  • Volunteers:
    • TSC Texas ACE Parent Council
  • Campus Leadership and Staff
  • District Leadership Staff

State and national stakeholders include:

  • Rural Afterschool Network of Texas
  • Texas Afterschool Resource Network
  • Texas ACE Community Beam
  • The U.S. Department of Education
  • Team ACE – Technical Assistance Coaches
  • Texas Education Agency
  • Texas Partnership for Out of School Time (TXPOST)

Center Operations: These Center Operations provide the structure and guidelines necessary to ensure the program’s success, promoting consistent attendance and high-quality support for students and adults throughout the year.

  • 150 students (a minimum of 50 students must receive HIT services)
  • Must attend a minimum of 60 days during fall, spring, and/or summer.
  • 1-15 student max ratio recommended.

High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) – Texas House Bill 4545:

  • 50 students
  • Must attend a minimum of 30 days during fall, spring, and/or summer.
  • One-to-one or small group for individualized support (1-4 student max ratio recommended – House Bill 1416)
  • Well-trained, consistent tutor who builds strong relationships with students.
  • High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) aligned to standards and core classwork.
  • Embedded in, or immediately before or after, the school day to maximize student access.
  • At least three (3) sessions per week for sustained support.
  • Minimum of 30 minutes.
  • Data-driven with tutors building sessions around student strengths and needs.

Adults:

  • 125 adults
  • A minimum of two (2) events per month

Fall Term:

  • August 28, 2023, to December 15, 2023
  • 73 days @ a minimum of 90 minutes (1 ½ hours) per day
  • High School – 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Middle School – 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Monday thru Friday – new requirement

Spring Term:

  • January 15, 2024, to May 17, 2024
  • 82 days @ a minimum of 90 minutes (1 ½ hours) per day
  • High School – 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Middle School – 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Monday thru Friday – new requirement

Summer Term:

  • June 3, 2024, to July 8, 2024
  • 25 days @ a minimum of 240 minutes (6 hours) per day
  • 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Monday thru Friday
  • Saturdays do not count as a day.
  • A new student may be counted towards the 150-student requirement if they attend 15 days @ 240 minutes/6 hours/day.

Family/Community Engagement for TSC Texas ACE: These events reflect the strong commitment to engaging families and the broader community. They provide opportunities for parents and community members to actively participate in the program, fostering a sense of belonging and support. Through these events, TSC Texas ACE not only enhances student learning but also strengthens its ties to the local community.

January

  • Parent Council Fall Meeting

February

  • Charro Days

March

  • Parent Roundtable Discussions (in partnership with TSC Instruction/Student Services)
  • Spring Open House (hosted by BISD)
  • Women in STEM (in partnership with TSC Instruction)

April

  • Parent Roundtable Discussions (in partnership with TSC Instruction/Student Services)
  • “Texas Best Competition” (hosted by La Cultura Vive en Brownsville)

May

  • End of the Year Showcase
  • Parent Roundtable Discussions (in partnership with TSC Instruction/Student Services)

June

  • Summer Camps for ACE students and families

July

  • Summer Camp Showcase

August

  • Back to School Community Fair (hosted by BISD)
  • Back to School Fair (hosted by BISD)
  • Meet the Teacher Night (hosted by BISD)
  • Parent Council Spring Meeting

September

  • Career Pathway Information Sessions (in partnership with TSC Instruction)
  • Fall Open House (hosted by BISD)
  • Know Your Community Fair (hosted by BISD)

October
• Career Pathway Information Sessions (in partnership with TSC Instruction)
• Domestic Violence (in partnership with TSC Instruction)
• Living History Day/Lights on Afterschool (in partnership with TSC Instruction)
• Mother and Daughter Breast Cancer Awareness

November

  • Career Pathway Information Sessions (in partnership with TSC Instruction)
  • Dia De Los Muertos (in partnership with TSC Student Services)

December

  • Career Pathway Information Sessions (in partnership with TSC Instruction)
  • Tree Lighting (in partnership with TSC Student Services)

Staff:

Dr. Prisci Roca Tipton, MBA
Principal Investigator/Project Director
Texas Southmost College
Office: S250
956-295-3489
[email protected]

Diana C. Rodriguez
Program Specialist (Community Engagement)
Texas Southmost College
Office: S249
956-295-3490
[email protected]

Jose Alberto Farias
Program Specialist (Accelerated & Summer Learning)
Texas Southmost College
Office: S248
956-295-3427
[email protected]

Sandra Sepulveda
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 1 – Hanna Early College High School
Office: G124
956-698-1366
[email protected]

Gabriela De La Cruz
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 2 – Lopez Early College High School
Office: C111B
956-698-1354
[email protected]

Celia D. Portillo
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 3 – Pace Early College High School
Office: F134
956-698-1271
[email protected]

Lisa M. Gonzales
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 4 – Porter Early College High School
Office: H102
956-698-2785
[email protected]

Ricco Holloway
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 5 – Rivera Early College High School
Office: E213
956-698-2411
[email protected]

Vicky M. Garcia
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 6 – Besterio Middle School
Office: 120
956-698-2149
[email protected]

Roberto Maciel
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 7 – Faulk Middle School
Office: F112
956-548-8500
[email protected]

Kristin L. Morris
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 8 – Garcia Middle School
Office: Library
956-698-0410
[email protected]

Dennia I. Salas
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 9 – Lucio Middle School
Office: 303
956-698-1636
[email protected]

Fidel W. Gonzales
Site Coordinator of Student Development
Center 10 – Perkins Middle School
Office: 100
956-698-2069
[email protected]